JP2000184173A - Image processing method, apparatus, image distribution method, system, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To embed a visible digital watermark with high security and easy restoration into an image. SOLUTION: In an initial state of processing 11, an original image composed of a plurality of pixels composed of pixel positions and pixel values, watermark image shape information composed of pixel positions indicating the shape of an image to be embedded, and 2 Sets a predetermined serial bit sequence represented by a base number. In process 12, the pixel positions of the pixels constituting the original image are compared with the watermark image shape information, and when they match, the pixel position information is sent to process 13;
If they do not match, the process for that pixel ends. In the process 13, a visible digital watermark is obtained by performing an arithmetic process using a pixel value (all or a part) at a designated pixel position of the original image and a predetermined bit (or bit string) as the embedment sequence. Create an image with embedded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method, an apparatus, and a method for embedding invisible information such as a digital watermark in an image to protect copyright of the image and prevent tampering of the image. Method, apparatus, and server for canceling digital watermark of inserted image, creating image with embedded digital watermark in server, distributing to user, and image distributing method and system for canceling digital watermark in user The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium used in a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Compared with a conventional analog image, a digital image, which handles an image as digital data, can be easily copied by a computer or the like without deteriorating the image quality and can be transmitted through a communication line. is there. Due to such features, digital images have been easily copied and redistributed. One of the methods for preventing this is a method called digital watermark. Digital watermarks are classified into two types: an invisible type in which watermark information such as copyright information and user information is embedded in an invisible form,
There is a visible type in which a watermark image such as a logo of a company holding a copyright is visually formed on an image.

In an invisible digital watermark, the fact that watermark information is embedded cannot be recognized at a glance of the embedded image. For this reason, although it is difficult to delete the watermark information, illegal copy and illegal distribution are more easily performed than the visible type. However, even if the digital image is illegally copied or distributed, since the watermark information remains in the digital image, the unauthorized user must be identified by the user ID or the like embedded as the watermark information. Can be.

[0004] As a typical example of an invisible type digital watermark, a frequency conversion such as a fast Fourier transform, a discrete cosine transform, and a wavelet transform is performed on an input image, watermark information is added to a frequency domain, and then inverse frequency transform is performed. There is a method of performing embedding by performing. In the method based on the fast Fourier transform, an input image is divided into blocks after being added with a PN sequence and spread. Fourier transform is performed for each block, and 1-bit watermark information is embedded in one block. The block in which the watermark information is embedded is subjected to inverse Fourier transform, and the same PN sequence as the first is added again to form a composite image. This is described in Onishi, Oka and Matsui, "Watermark Signature Method for Images Using PN Sequence", 1997
, Cryptography and Information Security Symposium
It is detailed in SCIS97-26B.

[0005] In the method using the discrete cosine transform, the data is divided into blocks, and discrete cosine transform is performed for each block.
After embedding 1-bit information in one block, a reverse conversion is performed to generate a composite image. This is Nakamura, Ogawa, Takashima
Digital Watermarking Scheme in the Frequency Domain for Copyright Protection of Digital Images ", 1997, Symposium on Cryptography and Information Security, SCIS97-26A.

[0006] The method based on the wavelet transform is a method that does not require the input image to be divided into blocks. This is Ishizuka, Sakai, Sakurai, "Experimental study on safety and reliability of electronic watermarking technology using wavelet transform"
1997, Cryptography and Information Security Symposium Proceedings, SCIS97.26D.

There is also a method of embedding a digital watermark by performing an operation on the hue, brightness, and the like of a pixel (Digimark, US Pat. No. 5,636,292).

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned visible digital watermark, since the watermark information is written on the digital image in a visible form, it is difficult to use it as it is, and there is an effect of discouraging illegal copying and illegal distribution. Conventionally, as a method of embedding a visible digital watermark, a method of embedding copyright information in an original image by replacing pixel values of an image representing copyright information such as a logo of a copyright holder with pixel values of an original image. Has been widely used. A disadvantage of this method is that the original image cannot be restored because the pixel values of the original image are lost.

As described above, in the conventional visible digital watermark embedding method, a method for restoring an original image is not prepared, and when it is desired to obtain a regular original image, all of the original image is reacquired. Needed.

As a technique for protecting the copyright of a digital image in addition to a digital watermark, the following method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-233455 and US Pat.
No. 563. That is, a scrambler is connected immediately after the image encoder, scrambles the encoded input image information, and sends it to the receiver facility.
At the receiver's facility, a descrambling device is connected immediately before the image decoder to descramble.

In this method, all or some of the pixels of the original image are scrambled in a manner dependent on a certain key. However, all the scrambled pixel values are embedded in a portion where the pixels are extracted from the image. It is possible to release the scramble by obtaining the key. However, this method of scrambling images can prevent illegal use of images, but cannot embed information such as copyright information in images, and requires distribution of copyright information separately from images. Was.

[0012]

As described in the above conventional example, when a conventional invisible digital watermark is used for the purpose of copyright protection, there has been a problem that unauthorized redistribution is likely to occur. Further, there is a problem that a method of restoring an original image is not prepared in a visible digital watermark. Further, although the scramble method can prevent unauthorized use of an image, copyright information cannot be embedded in the image, and copyright information must be distributed separately from the image. Due to the problems described above, none of the methods was sufficient for use in copyright protection purposes.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to enable sufficient copyright protection.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, in an image processing method according to the present invention, an original image,
By inputting the watermark image shape information and the embedding sequence and calculating the pixel values of the pixels of the original image included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information and the embedding sequence, the information is obtained. Try to create an embedded image.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, input means for inputting an original image, watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence, and pixels of the original image included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information And the pixel value of
There is provided an operation means for creating an image in which an electronic watermark is embedded by performing an operation with the embedding sequence.

In another image processing method according to the present invention, an image in which a digital watermark is embedded, watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence are input, and the image included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information is input. The digital watermark is canceled by calculating the pixel value of the pixel of the image in which the digital watermark is embedded and the above-mentioned embedded sequence.

Further, in the image distribution method according to the present invention, the server receives the original image, the watermark image shape information, and the embedding sequence as input, and includes the pixels of the original image included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information. By performing an operation on the pixel values of the above and the embedding sequence, an image in which the digital watermark is embedded is created, and the image in which the digital watermark is embedded, the watermark image shape information, and the embedding sequence are distributed to the user. Then, the user cancels the digital watermark by performing an operation of the pixel value of the pixel of the image in which the digital watermark included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information is embedded and the embedded sequence. I have to.

In another image processing apparatus according to the present invention, input means for inputting an image in which a digital watermark is embedded, watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence are provided, and the image data is embedded in a shape indicated by the watermark image shape information. An arithmetic unit is provided for canceling the digital watermark by performing an operation on the pixel value of the pixel of the image in which the digital watermark is embedded and the embedded sequence.

Further, in the image distribution system according to the present invention, the input means for inputting the original image, the watermark image shape information and the embedding sequence, and the pixel of the original image included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information A server having an operation unit for creating an image in which a digital watermark is embedded by performing an operation on the pixel value and the embedding sequence, an image in which the electronic watermark is embedded, the watermark image shape information and the embedding Distribution means for distributing a sequence to a user, input means for inputting an image in which the digital watermark is embedded, watermark image shape information and an embedded sequence, and the digital watermark included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information. An operation of canceling the digital watermark by calculating the pixel value of the pixel of the embedded image and the embedded sequence. It is provided and the user and means.

Further, in the storage medium according to the present invention,
A process of inputting an original image, watermark image shape information, and an embedded sequence, and calculating the pixel values of the pixels of the original image included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information and the embedding sequence Thus, a program for executing a process of creating an image in which a digital watermark is embedded is stored.

Further, in another storage medium according to the present invention, a process of inputting an image in which a digital watermark is embedded, watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence are included, and are included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information. A program for executing a process of canceling the digital watermark by performing an operation on the pixel value of a pixel of the image in which the digital watermark is embedded and the embedding sequence is stored.

Further, in another storage medium according to the present invention, a process of inputting an original image, watermark image shape information and an embedding sequence, and a process of inputting pixels of the original image included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information A process of creating an image in which a digital watermark is embedded by performing an operation on the pixel value and the embedded sequence, and distributing the image in which the digital watermark is embedded, the watermark image shape information, and the embedded sequence to the user Processing, inputting an image in which the digital watermark is embedded, watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence, and processing of pixels of the image in which the digital watermark is embedded in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information. A program for executing the processing for removing the digital watermark by performing the operation of the pixel value and the embedded sequence is described. It is.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the processing of the digital watermark embedding method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, first, in an initial state of the process 11, an original image including a plurality of pixels including pixel positions and pixel values, watermark image shape information including pixel positions indicating the shape of an image to be embedded, and an embedding sequence A predetermined serial bit sequence represented by a binary number is set.

Next, in process 12, a comparison process is performed between the pixel positions of the pixels constituting the original image and the watermark image shape information, and if they match, the pixel position information is sent to process 13; The processing for is ended. In the process 13, an arithmetic process is performed using a pixel value (all or a part) at a designated pixel position of the original image and a predetermined bit (or bit string) as the above-mentioned embedded sequence. This operation includes all reversible operations such as exclusive OR, modulo addition, and modulo multiplication.

Next, an embedding process is performed in a process 14, and a calculation result as a pixel value of the pixel position sent to the process 13 is output. The above processes may be performed sequentially for each pixel, or may be performed in parallel.

According to the present embodiment, the original image can be modified according to the watermark image shape information.
This modification differs from the invisible digital watermark described above in that the pixel value is greatly changed in accordance with the operation result of the processing 13, so that a visible watermark is obtained. Therefore, an image generated according to the present embodiment is referred to as a visible digital watermark embedded image in the following description.

The image with the visible digital watermark embedded therein can be restored by the decoding method according to the second embodiment described below. If the watermark image has meaningful information such as the logo of the copyright holder, the image can be restored. Therefore, it is possible to realize an effect of protecting copyright information different from a simple image scramble.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a digital watermark canceling method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
First, in the initial state of the processing 21, a visible digital watermark embedded image composed of a plurality of pixels composed of pixel positions and pixel values, watermark image shape information composed of pixel positions indicating the shape of the image to be embedded, and A serial bit sequence is set as the same embedded sequence used for embedding in the first embodiment.

Next, in step 22, a comparison process is performed between the pixel positions of the pixels constituting the digital watermark embedded image and the watermark image shape information, and when they match, the pixel position information is sent to step 23, and when they do not match, , The process for that pixel is terminated.

In the process 23, an arithmetic process is performed using the pixel value (all or a part) at the designated pixel position of the original image and a predetermined bit (or bit string) of the embedding sequence. Here, the operation processing is an inverse operation of the operation used when embedding the watermark. For example, when the digital watermark is embedded by exclusive OR, the pixel value of the pixel of the original image is restored by calculating the exclusive OR again.
In process 24, the calculation result is output as the pixel value of the pixel position sent to process 23. The above processes may be performed sequentially for each pixel, or may be performed in parallel.

According to this embodiment, the image with the visible digital watermark embedded therein generated according to the first embodiment can be restored to the original image.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a digital watermark embedding method according to the third embodiment of the present invention in the case where cryptographic processing is used as arithmetic processing according to the first embodiment.

This embodiment is the same as FIG. 1 of the first embodiment except for the processing 33. Therefore, only the process 33 will be described. Process 33 is a process in which the original image is designated,
The encryption is performed on the pixel position. In this case, the embedded sequence can be used as an encryption key or an initial value for generating the encryption key. As the encryption method, for example, DES
(Ikeno, Koyama, "Modern Cryptography", IEICE)
When each pixel value is indicated by an 8-bit value, the designated pixel position is divided into eight pixel positions, and the above-mentioned DES encryption is performed for each 64 bits in which the pixel values are arranged.

At this time, a predetermined 56b
It is used as a key (furthermore, an 8-bit parity is added). The output from DES is the same 64 bits as the input
Therefore, the output is divided for every 8 bits and output as pixel values at eight pixel positions used as inputs.

When DES is used as a stream cipher, it is possible to generate a pseudo-random number in a CBC mode of DES using an input sequence as a key and an initial value, and to output the pseudo-random number as a pixel value at a pixel position designated every 8 bits. it can. In this case, the number of bits of the pseudo-random number to be generated is the number of pixel values required at the designated pixel position, and the process ends when that number is reached. As a result, most of the information necessary for restoring the original image is on the image in which the digital watermark is embedded, and at the time of restoring the image, an embedding method that uses an embedding sequence that is a short bit string representing a key or the like is realized.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention for canceling a digital watermark embedded according to the third embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a digital watermark canceling method according to the embodiment. This embodiment is different from the third embodiment except for the process 43.
This is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, only the process 33 will be described. The process 43 performs decoding on the designated pixel position of the digital watermark embedded image. In this case, the embedding sequence can be used as a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key used for embedding or as an initial value for generating the decryption key.

According to the present embodiment, the output from the DES is divided and output every 8 bits at the same pixel position as when the watermark is embedded. Thus, the digital watermark embedded by the digital watermark embedding method of FIG. 3 can be released.

In this embodiment, the encryption method is DE
S, but other common key cryptosystems, for example, FE
AL, IDEA, RC2, RC4, RC5, MIST
Y, Caesar encryption, business encryption / Beaufort encryption, play fair encryption, Hill encryption, Vernam encryption, and the like can also be used.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which a digital watermark embedding apparatus constructed by using the digital watermark embedding method of the first embodiment and a digital watermark of the second embodiment are used. 1 shows a digital image distribution system based on a network using a digital watermark canceling device configured using a canceling method. The system includes a server 51 for supplying a user with an electronic watermark embedded in an original image, a user 52 for purchasing an image from the server, and a distribution unit 58 represented by the Internet for exchanging information between the server 51 and the user 52. Consists of

The server 51 includes a storage device 53 for storing the original image, the digital watermark embedded image, the watermark image shape information, and the embedded sequence, and an electronic device configured by using the digital watermark embedding method of the first embodiment. And a watermark embedding device 54.

The user 52 uses the storage device 55 for storing the obtained digital watermark embedded image, the watermark image shape information, the input sequence, and the digital watermark released image, and the digital watermark release method of the second embodiment. And an image display device 57.

The image seller as the server 51 holds the original image, the watermark image shape information, and the embedding sequence in the storage device 53. The data is input to a digital watermark embedding device 54 to obtain a digital watermark embedded image,
The data is stored in the storage device 53. The watermark image shape is assumed to be, for example, the shape of a logo representing the author. In this case, the embedding sequence may be unique to each user (image purchaser), common, or various depending on the user, server, and image.

In order to prevent unauthorized removal of the digital watermark, it is possible to prevent the exchange or transfer of the embedment sequence between users, and to prevent the embedment sequence of one image from releasing the digital watermark of another image. Generate an embedded sequence each time distribution is performed, for example, to prevent an embedded sequence from being calculated by comparing several types of images with embedded watermarks. Changing is advantageous for the server.

The image in which the digital watermark is embedded is the user 5
2 and distributed by the distribution means 58 in response to the request from the user 2 and stored in the storage device 55 of the user 52. The user 52
The stored image is confirmed on the image display device 57, and if necessary, necessary procedures such as contracting with the server 51 and / or paying a fee are performed.

After completion of the procedure, the server 51
The distribution unit 58 distributes the watermark image shape information and the embedded sequence stored in the third unit 52 to the user 52. User 5
2 temporarily stores the image in the storage device 55 and then inputs the digital watermark-embedded image to the digital watermark canceling device 56 to restore the original image.

In the present embodiment, as a general method, a procedure such as a contract is performed before distributing embedded information. However, a procedure may be performed at another timing such as when distributing a watermark-embedded image. Can be In addition, as a billing method, a general method such as a credit card and cash may be used in addition to a method performed on a network such as electronic money. Further, data transmitted on a communication channel such as an image or an embedded sequence in which a digital watermark is embedded may be transmitted after being encrypted by a general communication channel encryption method.

FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which an encryption device and a digital watermark release device of a digital watermark embedding device configured by using the digital watermark embedding method of the third embodiment. 1 shows a digital image distribution system using a network configured using a public key cryptosystem such as RSA. In this system, before digital images are distributed, contracts and / or contracts may be made in printed materials, recording media, networks, verbal or other methods.
Alternatively, it is assumed that billing has been performed.

In FIG. 6, unlike the fifth embodiment in which the server has an embedded sequence (common key), the user 63 creates a pair of a public key and a secret key in the key generation unit 69. . The public key is transmitted to the certificate authority 6 through the network.
The private key is stored in the storage device 68 held by the user 63, respectively.

The server 61 fetches the public key of the user 63 from the public key storage device 66 of the certificate authority 62 according to the contract with the user 63, and makes this part or all of the embedding sequence. The image is input to the digital watermark embedding device 65 together with the watermark shape information to obtain an image with the digital watermark embedded therein, and is temporarily stored in the storage device 64. This image is distributed to the user 63 through the distribution means 71,
A series including a part or all of the secret key stored in the storage device 60 is input to the digital watermark canceling device 58,
The digital watermark is released.

By distributing an image in which a digital watermark is embedded using the user's public key to the user, the watermark image cannot be removed without using the user's private key. Further, since the secret key is not transmitted on the Internet and exists only in the local environment of the user 63, there is an effect of preventing an image without a digital watermark from being passed to a large number of malicious attackers existing on the Internet. .

Further, the time required for encryption and decryption is shorter than in the method of performing encryption on the entire original image. In addition, a method of embedding a digital watermark by a common key encryption method and a public key encryption method in double or for each part in combination with the digital watermark embedding method of the fourth embodiment can be considered.

FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which an invisible digital watermark is embedded in an original image, and furthermore, an apparatus constructed by using the digital watermark embedding method of the first embodiment. 1 shows an image distribution system characterized by embedding a visible digital watermark.

The present system stores a server 81 that supplies a user with an electronic watermark embedded in an original image, a user 82 who purchases the image from the server, an original image, an image with an embedded digital watermark, watermark image shape information, and an embedded sequence. A storage device 83, an invisible watermark embedding device 84 for embedding an invisible digital watermark, and a visible watermark embedding device 85 configured using the digital watermark embedding method of the first embodiment.

Further, a storage device 86 for storing the acquired digital watermark embedded image, the watermark image shape information, the embedded sequence, and the image with the digital watermark released, a digital watermark release using the method of the third embodiment Device 87,
Image display device 88, distribution means 89 represented by the Internet for exchanging information between server 81 and user 82
Having.

The image seller serving as the server 81 holds the original image, watermark image shape information, an embedding sequence to be embedded as a visible watermark, and information to be embedded as invisible and transparent in the recording device 83. The original image and information to be embedded as an invisible watermark are input to the invisible watermark embedding device 84,
Obtain an image with embedded invisible watermark. The invisible watermark embedded image looks exactly the same as the original image.

The invisible watermark embedded image is input to the visible watermark embedding device 85 together with the watermark image shape information and the embedding sequence held in the storage device 83, and the invisible and visible watermark embedded image is output to the storage device 83. Will be saved. In addition, regarding the processing on the user side,
The description is omitted because it is the same as the fourth embodiment.

The image from which the user has removed the visible watermark is visually identical to the original image, and can be used in the same manner as the original image. Although information that is identical in appearance but remains embedded as an invisible watermark remains, embedded information embedded as an invisible watermark can be extracted and used by using an information extraction device. It is generally considered that a server or a police agency extracts information when an illegally used image is found.

As a result, unauthorized redistribution, unauthorized use, and the like can be sufficiently prevented, and a certain level of security can be maintained even after the formal or illegal release of the visible digital watermark by the information embedded by the invisible electronic transparency. An image distribution system capable of performing the above can be realized.

Next, a storage medium according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The object of the present invention can be achieved by a hardware configuration, and can also be achieved by a computer system including a CPU and a memory. When the present invention is implemented by a computer system, the memory constitutes a storage medium according to the present invention.

That is, a storage medium storing a program code of software for executing the operation according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 1 to 4 described in each of the above embodiments is used in a system or an apparatus.
The object of the present invention can be achieved by the PU reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

As the storage medium, ROM, R
Semiconductor memory such as AM, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,
A magnetic medium or the like may be used, and these may be configured and used in a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a magnetic medium, a magnetic card, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like.

Therefore, this storage medium is used in another system or apparatus other than the systems and apparatuses shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, and the system or computer reads out and executes the program code stored in this storage medium. Accordingly, the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments can be realized, the same effects can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

An OS running on a computer
When performing part or all of the processing, or after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extended function board or an extended function unit connected to the computer, Even when the CPU or the like provided in the above-mentioned extended function board or extended function unit performs a part or all of the processing based on the instruction of the program code, the same functions as those of the embodiments can be realized and the same effects can be obtained. Can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By inputting the original image, the watermark image shape information, and the embedding sequence, and calculating the pixel values of the pixels of the original image included in the shape of the watermark image indicated by the watermark image shape information, and the embedding sequence In addition, a visible digital watermark with high security can be embedded in the original image, and the copyright can be sufficiently protected.

Further, by performing an inverse operation on the image in which the digital watermark is embedded and the watermark shape information as described above, the digital watermark can be canceled and the original image can be restored.

Further, it is possible to realize a system for creating and distributing an image in which a visible digital watermark is embedded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a digital watermark embedding method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a digital watermark cancellation method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a digital watermark embedding method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a digital watermark cancellation method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a digital image distribution system via a network using the digital watermark embedding method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a network-based digital image distribution system using the digital watermark embedding method according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital image distribution system using a network in which a visible digital watermark and an invisible digital watermark are embedded according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 51, 61, 81 server 52, 63, 82 user 53, 55, 64, 68, 83 storage device 54, 65 digital watermark embedding device 56, 70 digital watermark release device 57, 67, 88 image display device 58, 71, 89 Distribution means 62 Certificate authority 66 Public key storage device 69 Key generation unit 84 Invisible watermark embedding device 85 Visible watermark embedding device 86 Image storage device 87 Visible watermark canceling device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B057 AA20 CA20 CB20 CC01 CE20 DA20 DC31 5C075 AB00 EE02 EE03 5C076 AA14 5J104 AA07 AA14 EA19 JA03 JA21 KA01 MA01 PA14

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An original image, watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence are input, and the pixel value of the pixel of the original image included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information and the embedding sequence are calculated. And thereby creating an image in which the information is embedded. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein an encryption process using a common key cryptosystem is used for the calculation. 3. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein an encryption process based on a public key cryptosystem is used for the calculation. 4. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the original image is an image in which an invisible digital watermark is embedded. 5. The image processing method according to claim 1, further comprising outputting the image in which the digital watermark is embedded, the watermark image shape information, and an embedded sequence. 6. An input means for inputting an original image, watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence; a pixel value of a pixel of the original image included in a shape indicated by the watermark image shape information; An image processing apparatus comprising: an arithmetic unit that creates an image in which a digital watermark is embedded by performing an operation with a sequence. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an encryption process using a common key cryptosystem is used for the calculation. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an encryption process based on a public key cryptosystem is used for the calculation. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the original image is an image in which an invisible digital watermark is embedded. 10. An image in which the digital watermark is embedded,
7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an output unit that outputs the watermark image shape information and the embedded sequence. 11. An image in which a digital watermark is embedded, watermark image shape information and an embedding sequence are input, and pixel values of pixels of the image in which the digital watermark is embedded included in a shape indicated by the watermark image shape information Wherein the digital watermark is released by performing an operation with the embedded sequence. 12. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein an encryption process using a common key cryptosystem is used for the calculation. 13. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein an encryption process using a public key cryptosystem is used for the calculation. 14. A server, to which an original image, watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence are input, and a pixel value of a pixel of the original image included in a shape indicated by the watermark image shape information, and the embedding By performing an operation with the sequence, an image in which a digital watermark is embedded is created, and the image in which the digital watermark is embedded, the watermark image shape information, and the embedded sequence are distributed to a user. The digital watermark is released by performing an inverse operation of the pixel value of the pixel of the image in which the digital watermark included in the shape indicated by the shape information is embedded and the embedded sequence. Image distribution method. 15. An input unit for inputting an image in which a digital watermark is embedded, watermark image shape information and an embedded sequence, and a pixel of the image in which the digital watermark is embedded, which is included in a shape indicated by the watermark image shape information. An image processing apparatus, comprising: an arithmetic unit that cancels the digital watermark by performing an operation on the pixel value of (i) and the embedded sequence. 16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein an encryption process based on a common key cryptosystem is used for said calculation. 17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein an encryption process based on a public key cryptosystem is used for the calculation. 18. An input means for inputting an original image, watermark image shape information and an embedded sequence, a pixel value of a pixel of the original image included in a shape indicated by the watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence And a distribution unit for distributing to the user the image in which the digital watermark is embedded, the watermark image shape information and the embedded sequence. Input means for inputting an image in which the digital watermark is embedded, watermark image shape information and an embedding sequence, and a pixel value of a pixel of the image in which the digital watermark is embedded included in the shape indicated by the watermark image shape information And a user having an operation unit for canceling the digital watermark by performing an inverse operation of the embedded sequence and the embedded sequence. Image distribution system to butterflies. 19. A process of inputting an original image, watermark image shape information, and an embedded sequence, a pixel value of a pixel of the original image included in a shape indicated by the watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of creating an image in which a digital watermark is embedded by performing the above operation. 20. A process for inputting an image in which a digital watermark is embedded, watermark image shape information, and an embedding sequence, and a process of inputting a pixel of the image in which the digital watermark is embedded in a shape indicated by the watermark image shape information. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of removing the digital watermark by performing an operation on a pixel value and the embedded sequence. 21. A process of inputting an original image, watermark image shape information, and an embedded sequence; a pixel value of a pixel of the original image included in a shape indicated by the watermark image shape information; A process of creating an image in which a digital watermark is embedded by performing the above operation; a process of distributing the created image in which the digital watermark is embedded, the watermark image shape information and the embedded sequence to a user; Performing a process of canceling the digital watermark by performing an inverse operation of a pixel value of a pixel of the image in which the digital watermark included in the shape indicated by the shape information is embedded and the embedded sequence. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program.